Political analyst Kipkalya Kones has sounded the alarm over deepening divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), warning that internal squabbles and power plays are threatening the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a detailed assessment shared on X, Kones criticized a faction within ODM he described as “vindictive” and focused on personal gain rather than party or community interests.
According to Kones, this wing has been drawing up lists of members to be expelled and quietly installing relatives and associates into key positions across constituencies.
“When you attend their rallies, check the background. You will find one of their brothers, sisters, or friends being positioned as the candidate for an elective office,” he said.
The political analyst highlighted that these issues predate the death of party leader Raila Odinga, noting that party leadership has consistently clashed with strong leaders within ODM.
“What kind of party abandons recruitment as a philosophy and spends months seeking to expel people? A party where weak, insecure leaders sell a shell for personal interests,” Kones stated.
Kones also suggested that the faction aligned with ODM’s leadership has shown reluctance to credit or engage with development initiatives under President William Ruto, apart from occasional mentions by figures like Sam Atandi.
Instead, the faction has focused on internal maneuvers, including demanding the removal of some civil servants in Ruto’s government and insisting on rigid zoning arrangements in Luo Nyanza.
“The red flags were there even before Raila was buried. The Transaction Wing has exposed its true nature, demanding preferential treatment and trying to secure positions for relatives while weakening legitimate leadership,” he observed.
Kones urged the President to allow leadership in Luo Nyanza to emerge organically, pointing to established figures such as Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, James Orengo, James Nyikal, Otiende Amolo, Millie Odhiambo, and Moses Kajwang’ as credible voices whose authority stems from community respect rather than patronage.
Kones described the faction’s approach to zoning as a survival strategy rather than a political principle.
“If they think zoning is their only survival method, why not hand over the party to the Orengo-Babu faction, which believes ODM can appeal nationally?
The real ODM is a movement that welcomes people instead of expelling them,” he said, echoing sentiments expressed by Winnie Odinga.
The analyst warned that the internal conflicts, which have been unfolding just 15 months to the next elections, risk alienating the party from its base and undermining its bargaining power nationally.
“The shell that Ruto has been negotiating with has laid bare its weak nature,” Kones said. “The Transaction Wing of ODM is falling.”